Friends, family pay tribute to Toronto woman lost in Ethiopia air disaster

Those touching words came from Clariss Moore, the mother of 24-year-old Danielle Moore — one of 18 Canadians killed in Sunday’s crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 near Addis Ababa.

Over 200 family and friends gathered Thursday evening at Inukshuk Park in downtown Toronto to pay tribute to her — one of numerous gatherings held in her honour across Canada and the world.

With a steady late winter rain and the droning of airplanes landing at Billy Bishop Airport serving as a backdrop, many were overcome with emotion as they laid flowers, candles, rocks and photographs in the park’s pavilion.

Joining them was Toronto mayor John Tory, who laid his own token of remembrance among the others.

“Danielle gave so much to others during a life cut too short,” he wrote on Twitter.

“May she rest in peace.”

Offered comfort on behalf of all Toronto residents to the parents, family, and friends of Ethiopian Airlines tragedy victim Danielle Moore. Danielle gave so much to others during a life cut too short. May she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/M3xAId9PjA

Flight 302 has just departed for Nairobi, Kenya when the four-month old Boeing 737-MAX 8 experienced flight control problems.

Six minutes after take-off, the plane crashed into a field outside the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people aboard.

Toronto-born Moore was en route to the United Nations Environmental Assembly in Nairobi.

Huddling in their shared grief, Danielle’s family ended the service by singing a verse from the Beatles hit Let it Be — soon joined by the rest of those in attendance.

“If you look at all the things my sister has done, you can tell she’s made a difference,” said Danielle’s brother David.

“Being my older sister, she’s always been there when I needed her, I’m always following in her footsteps and looking to her to find out what to do next, but the past couple of days I’ve sort of been at a loss.”

He said Thursday’s large turnout — and the dozen or so remembrances taking place at the same time — is a testament to how much she meant to those who knew her.

“A lot of people here, including her friends, carry on that spirit,” he explained.

Family friend Andrew Lin said Danielle’s spirit will endure through the love and memories of her family — particularly with her mother.

“She was always talking about her daughter, she was the pride and joy of her life,” Lin said.